[First Amendment]

I wonder how many of the cadets at VMI are sorry about this worse than stupid ruling? Attendance at VMI is voluntary; once there, the prayer has been a tradition for generations and I'm sure is accepted by 99% of everyone without question. Which has been more detrimental for people - lack of prayer or too much prayer?

[BenLurkin]

Sickening.

[Deb]

Looks like Barry Lynn has given up pretending to be "an ordained minister" and is outta the closet as the lowest form of life...a lawyer.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

Oh my God, no! The communists are trying to destroy every American institution of merit. The young men at VMI are simply exemplary among young men everywhere. But the communists won't be satisfied until they have dismantled every shred of moral character, discipline and decency. Every last shred. This ruling is pure evil and was NEVER the intent of the 1st Amendment. Stonewall Jackson is certainly spinning in his grave.

[ImphClinton]

Talk about taking logic and turning on it's head. Freedom of speach would allow the prayer. To deny it is to deny the freedom of speach to the one giving it. The whole purpose of the first amendment was to allow speach that might be offensive to some.

If you don't want to hear a prayer show up to dinner with a walkman and listen to your rap music or satanic lessons.

[Slings and Arrows]

To paraphrase Andrew Jackson: The court has made their ruling, now let them enforce it.

Absolutely disgusting.

[cartoonistx]

Just what the Liberals MUST want....the nation's future military leaders devoid of any moral controls. Nothing like a heavily armed, ruthless and Godless fighting force led by selfish sexually confused atheists to make you feel all warm and fuzzy about America's future defense.

[Cindy]

FROM THE BIBLE:

Luke 21:17 -
Jesus said, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake."

John 15:18 -
Jesus said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."

John 15:25 -
Jesus said, "But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause."

John 17:14 -
Jesus said, "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

[PRND21]

The liberals win another one.

[Democrap]

Just one more reason not to have the government involved in education. Once they (schools) take the tax money they have lost their freedom.

[LiteKeeper]

spotrep

[ppaul]

First they forced VMI to have girl cadets.
Now this.
The humiliation is complete.
Shame.

[kritikos]

Some thoughts on this.

First, it is disheartening to see our country moving continuously in this direction (the removal of God from the public square).

However, this ruling is not as significant as some might feel.

Those at VMI who were not inclined to pray would not be praying anyway even if their heads were inclined (bowed).

Those who are inclined to pray (in their hearts) will pray, no matter the ruling.

The loss will be symbolic spiritual unity only, not real spiritual unity.

Those who know the power of prayer will exercise it at all times.

The rest will exercise that privilege once they come under enemy fire.

[Cindy]

FREEREPUBLIC.com - Discussion Threads - Search Term: "ACLU"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/search?s=ACLU&ok=Search&q=deep&m=exact&o=time&SX=3eae13f06bf0e1323d6e94406e89db961067a384

GOOGLE Search Term: "ACLU"
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22ACLU%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&filter=0

[HairOfTheDog]

In an important victory for First Amendment groups, a federal appeals court ruled Monday that the traditional prayers said before evening meals at the Virginia Military Institute (search) are unconstitutional.

Huh? [scratches head]

[dandelion]

So, shall they cart the cadets off to jail for praying in the lunchroom? What would happen if they were to all pray? Who would be the one to arrest them?

What would happen if all those who were told NOT to pray got up and prayed anyway? Do any of us dare to find out?

[montag813]

First Amendment groups hailed the ruling. "This is extraordinarily important," said Barry Lynn, a lawyer with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State

WHAT? So groups trying to turn Freedom of Religion to Freedom FROM Religion and the abolishment thereof, are now called "First Amendment Groups" by no less a source than FoxNews??? This is truly disheartening.

[BenR2]

We must have some pretty biased -- or damned ignorant -- judges.

Where in the First Amendment does it "forbid" dinner prayers at a military college (even if the military college receives state/federal funds)?

As I read the Amendment, the entity restricted is CONGRESS -- and the thing it is restricted from is making certain laws.

Ridiculous.

[Unleashed]

How can this be "unconstitutional"? That is a complete non-sequitor, to deny free speech while claiming that you uphold it.

This lawsuit was brought by a vast minority of students, people who probably aren't going to be swayed by any references to God no matter where they occur.

What kind of logic is this? The wishes (not needs) of a very few are placed higher in importance than the needs (and wishes) of the greater majority. That is simply incredible. From a logical, moral, spiritual, common sensical standpoint, this ruling makes no sense.

Our country is rapidly becoming a travisty, and stories like this prove more and more how liberals are making a mockery of the Constitution they claim to hold so dear.

[Arkinsaw]

VMI had their chance. They could have gone private when the war commenced. But the government teat was too sweet and they could not bite the bullet and give up the cash. Now they get what they paid for.

VMI has not been VMI since the Board of Visitors surrendered several years ago. They voted to become just a normal State College and now they are being forced to be one.

[goldstategop]

Following this wonderful logic, let's ban military chaplains. After all the office amounts to an unconstutional establishment of religion. <sarcasm